OK, i understand that if the ravens lose today they own the tie breaker over us. But, the Broncos will be 9-3 and if they own the tiebreaker of the Ravens, then who gets the 2 seed? So, it could be possible that there is a 3 way tie for the 2 seed with each team owning the tie breaker vs 1 team. Who gets it in that case?

Nope - 3 ways ties are conference. 2 way ties are head/head. Right now Pats are 2 seed....But with 3 Conference games to play a lot can happen. If Pats beat Houston next week, seeds will go down to last week!

This shows the Pats as #2 seed. I wish this were so, but I think it's clear from my prior post that the Pats lose on the very first 3-way tiebreaker. I expect the NFL is using replacement refs for their "Playoff Picture" and will issue a retraction.

This shows the Pats as #2 seed. I wish this were so, but I think it's clear from my prior post that the Pats lose on the very first 3-way tiebreaker. I expect the NFL is using replacement refs for their "Playoff Picture" and will issue a retraction.

You may be correct but that is what I based my post on.

Still a lot of football to be played

I agree. Things will definitely change over the next 4 weeks. Good stuff.

Well even though Baltimore lost today they still beat the Pats this year, so even though both teams are 8-3, the Ravens own the tie breaker. Pats beat Denver, so they own that tie breaker.

Pats need another win and a Baltimore loss.

Agree with above.Head to head is first tiebreaker. Second tiebreaker is division records if teams are in the same division . If teams not in same division it goes to conference records. Therefore, Baltimore owns tiebreaker with us and we own tiebreaker with Denver. we are currently number 3 seed. If we win out and Baltimore loses a game we will be 2 seed regardless of what Denver does.If we end up tied with Denver and a better record than Baltimore we are 2 seed.

The Patriots punched their tickets to the playoffs on Sunday and climbed up the ladder in the AFC standings in the process (thanks to a Ravens loss to the Steelers).

The Patriots, now 9-3, currently share an identical record to both the Broncos and Ravens. Despite the fact that the Patriots were beaten by Baltimore earlier this season, they own the second seed in the current AFC playoff picture by virtue of the NFL's three-way tie breaking system (click here for all of the tiebreaker rules). The Patriots own the best conference record (8-1) of the three teams, meaning that if the playoffs started today, they would earn a first-round bye via a top two seed.

But the playoffs do not start today, of course, so there's much left to be decided.

Before flushing out some of the playoff scenarios and looking at upcoming schedules, here's a quick look at the AFC standings.

Remaining schedule: vs. Houston (11-1), vs. San Francisco (8-3-1), at Jacksonville (2-10), vs. Miami (5-7) Scenarios: If the Patriots win their remaining games, they will clinch at least the third seed in the AFC. If they win their remaining games but Baltimore also wins their remaining games (which includes a game against Denver in Week 15), the Ravens will take the second seed (Baltimore would win the head-to-head tiebreaker). If the Patriots win out and Baltimore loses at least one game, New England will take at least a top-two seed. With an upcoming game against Houston, the Patriots have a chance to make up ground toward a top seed.

Remaining schedule: at New England (9-3), vs. Indianapolis (8-4), vs. Minnesota (6-6), at Indianapolis (8-4) Scenarios: The Texans have already bought themselves some breathing room toward a top-two seed with victories over Baltimore and Denver, meaning they can clinch a top-two seed with two wins in their final four games. A win next week in New England would all but seal it, but two games against the Colts leave the AFC South still open for the taking. This team has the clearest path to a top-two seed.

Remaining schedule: at Washington (5-6), vs. Denver (9-3), vs. New York Giants (7-4), at Cincinnati (7-5) Scenarios: The Ravens still control their own destiny for a top-two seed in the the AFC, as winning out would ensure that. A Week 15 game against Denver looms large, however, as they could quickly slide from second place in the AFC standings to fourth place. The AFC North is not entirely over at this point, although Baltimore has a comfortable two-game lead. Because of their head-to-head win over the Patriots, the Ravens still have the inside track on a two seed, but face a difficult schedule down the stretch.

Remaining schedule: at Oakland (3-9), at Baltimore (9-3), vs. Cleveland (4-8), vs. Kansas City (2-10) Scenarios: Like the Patriots, the Broncos clinched their division on Sunday. They have the easiest remaining schedule of the top four teams, and are still in play for a top two seed. The aforementioned Week 15 contest against Baltimore could go a long way toward deciding that, although Denver lost head-to-head matchups with both Houston and New England earlier this season.

December is, as always, packed with playoff ramifications.

According to AccuScore projections relayed by ESPN Stats & Information, the Patriots actually have the best chance at that No. 2 seed at 47 percent. The Broncos come in second with a 30 percent shot and the Ravens a 23 percent chance. Baltimore has the most difficult remaining schedule with four quality opponents. New England has two tough opponents (Texans and Niners) and two easier ones (Dolphins and Jaguars). Denver has the easiest schedule of the group, but their loss to the Patriots could cost them in the end.

nyjoseph was wrong, though his info becomes valid if we get back to a two way tie. Pats win the three way tie thanks to better conference record, but it's precarious because we lose a two way tie to the Ravens.

At this point we hope to either move ahead of the Ravens or stay in a three way tie. :)

Game against Houston is BIG---if the Pats beat the Texans and lose to the Niners, then win last 2 against Jaguars and Miami,(which is most likely),----that would put them at 12-4 - but more importantly, only 1 AFC loss----then if Ravens, Broncos and Pats ALL finish at 12-4,(I see Denver losing at Ravens and Ravens losing 1 or 2 more), the Pats would take the # 2 seed.

nyjoseph was wrong, though his info becomes valid if we get back to a two way tie. Pats win the three way tie thanks to better conference record, but it's precarious because we lose a two way tie to the Ravens.

At this point we hope to either move ahead of the Ravens or stay in a three way tie. :)

i posted the same last week when the another thread was started on the subject

everyone is reporting pats to 2 seed only because currently there is a 2 way tie (with denver). when that changes (when denver is no longer with us and balt), unless we win one more than ravens, we are still the 3rd seed